Chapter 23: Impossible in This Lifetime
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
As Miles and Coral neared the ornately designed front gate that marked the entrance to a posh residential area, a distinguished-looking woman in her middle years walked briskly towards them. The evident signs of relief were marred by the evident displeasure on her face as she spotted Coral.
“Coral,” she began, her voice initially laden with frustration but gradually giving way to warmth, “do you still remember the way to our house?”
Before Coral could respond, the woman began to chide her for not being in touch throughout the entire night, expressing how worried they had been to the point of considering reporting her as missing. This woman, it became clear, was Coral’s mother, Mrs. Ocean.
Chastened, Coral mumbled her apologies, looking downward, “I’m so sorry, Mom. We had an issue at school.”
Mrs. Ocean’s gaze softened a touch as she nodded understandingly. Her eyes then drifted to Miles, her expression turning slightly guarded. “And who is this young man?” she inquired, her tone indicating a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
“He’s Miles, Mom. My classmate. You’ve met him before,” Coral chimed in, hoping to ease the tension.
Mrs. Ocean made a vague gesture, suggesting she met so many of Coral’s friends that it was hard to keep track. Nevertheless, her eyes stayed fixed on Miles, taking in his appearance and demeanor.
Hoping to alleviate the awkwardness and perhaps make a timely exit, Miles courteously mentioned that he should head out and perhaps come over some other time.
However, Mrs. Ocean wasn’t done. She interjected, her voice hinting at suspicion, pressing for details about why Coral was coming home at this hour and whether Miles was involved.
Miles, attempting to be as transparent as possible, narrated the odd events at the school from the previous night and explained that out of concern for Coral’s well-being, he’d decided to accompany her back home.
To Miles’s surprise, Mrs. Ocean mentioned she had called the school and found no evidence of such incidents. Seeing his confusion, she elaborated that she knew about the teacher’s phone being unreachable but wanted to gauge Miles’s honesty.
Seemingly convinced by his account, Mrs. Ocean expressed her gratitude towards Miles for ensuring her daughter’s safe return. Yet, she didn’t miss the chance to caution him about Coral’s disciplined life and her academic priorities, implying he should know his boundaries.
As a token of appreciation, Mrs. Ocean then took out two hundred from her purse, offering it to Miles for breakfast. The gesture felt more like a bribe than genuine gratitude, making the situation all the more awkward. However, Miles accepted it gracefully and made his exit.
Watching him walk away, tears welled up in Coral’s eyes. “Why are you so hard on him, Mom?” she questioned, evidently upset. She felt her mother’s behavior was not just unwarranted but downright disrespectful.
Mrs. Ocean, trying to justify her actions, replied, “It’s not what you think, Coral. I was assessing him. Notice how readily he took the two hundred? It shows he might be more opportunistic than ambitious. Be careful about who you trust and don’t be swayed by mere words.”
Coral shot back, visibly agitated, “You really have no clue, do you? You weren’t there at school last night to see what unfolded. Miles risked everything and saved my life when I was in danger. I asked him to escort me home because I felt safe with him. After the way you treated him, how can you possibly expect me to look him in the eye?”
Mrs. Ocean responded coldly, her voice dripping with disdain, “That boy doesn’t seem to have a shred of self-worth. It’s in your best interest to steer clear of him. We are a family with principles and standards.”
Tears streamed down Coral’s cheeks, the weight of the confrontation too much to bear. She turned sharply and fled back inside the house, her heart heavy with emotion.
Outside, Miles sat quietly on a bus, clutching the two hundred he had received. He was fully aware of the prejudices and judgment behind Mrs. Ocean’s actions. Even though the humiliation and anger bubbled beneath his skin, he chose to suppress his emotions. Reacting in anger would achieve nothing.
For Miles, an ordinary boy from a humble background, mingling with someone as wealthy and stunning as Coral was unusual. He could somewhat comprehend her parents’ reservations about him and their attempts to distance him from their daughter.
He knew that causing a scene or seeking revenge over such a petty amount would only demean him further. Miles had helped Coral purely out of goodwill and the kindness of his heart.
“It’s tough to do the right thing sometimes,” he muttered to himself. He then securely stashed the money away and headed home, drained and in dire need of rest.
As the hours ticked by, other students made their way home. After all the chaos of the previous night, it was a relief for most to return to the safety and comfort of their homes.
William, meanwhile, reached his sprawling, luxurious villa. Contrary to the common perception of him, he was indeed affluent, yet he preferred a subdued lifestyle, avoiding unnecessary extravagance.
Walking in, he was met with his father’s worried expression. “You’re back quite late today. And why was your phone off? What kept you out all night?” Mr. Noble asked, eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Attempting to deflect, William mumbled, “I was just hanging out with some friends.” He had a fleeting urge to share the bizarre events from school but decided against it, choosing a half-truth instead.
“You can’t keep this up,” Mr. Noble chided. “Grab something to eat, and make sure you’re punctual for school tomorrow.”
The mere mention of ‘school’ widened William’s eyes with dread. “I can’t… I can’t go back there.”
Surprised, Mr. Noble pressed, “And if you don’t attend school, what’s your plan?”
“Anything but that,” William asserted vehemently.
For him, setting foot in No.7 High School again was a nightmare. He was convinced the place was plagued by supernatural forces, having narrowly escaped its clutches once. He was resolute about not going back, come what may.
His father’s voice hardened, “You plan to ditch school now? Right when the college entrance exams are around the corner?” His gaze bore into William. “Are you implying you’re willing to abandon your university dreams?”
“Dad, I can’t keep this from you any longer. That school, No.7 High School, is genuinely haunted. I’ve witnessed things that I can’t explain, and the fear is overwhelming. I can’t go back there,” William admitted, his voice quivering.
“Haunted? Really?” Mr. Noble raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You must be imagining things. I’ll accompany you to school tomorrow. I’m quite intrigued to see these so-called spirits or phantoms. In all my years, I’ve never encountered anything of the sort.” As he spoke, he reached out to firmly take hold of William’s wrist, attempting to lead him.
However, William, his eyes wide with terror and determination, pulled his hand away. “Dad, stop! I am not exaggerating. I would rather face any other kind of threat out here in the real world, even if it meant looking into the abyss of certain danger or confronting life-threatening scenarios. I swear to you, I’ll never step into No.7 High School again. And if you don’t believe me, challenge me.”
“Fine,” Mr. Noble said tersely, his annoyance evident. “If you’re choosing to abandon your education, then don’t expect a penny from me. You’re on your own.”
Feeling the weight of the confrontation, William quietly made his way to his bedroom.
As the door closed, Mr. Noble’s voice, dripping with sarcasm, called out, “Very courageous of you, hiding away in your room!”
However, not too long afterward, the sound of William’s door opening echoed through the hallway. He stepped out, holding two schoolbooks. “I’ve decided. I’m heading to school,” he said, trying to sound firm.
Mr. Noble merely grunted, his expression lightening a bit, “That’s more like it.”
But as William stepped outside, a mischievous grin spread across his face.
Really attending school? Not now, not ever. Just because he had books with him didn’t mean he was actually going to school. An internet cafe seemed like a much more appealing destination.
“Today’s the day I, William, will dominate and achieve twenty game wins at the cafe,” he muttered, his steps light with mischief.
However, his plans took an unexpected turn when two stern-faced agents appeared before him.
“Are you William from No.7 High School?” one of the agents questioned, looking him up and down.
Attempting to deflect, William said with feigned ignorance, “Sorry, I think you’re mistaken. My name’s Miles. William’s just a classmate of mine.”
But the agent, not buying the act, responded, “Your identification details provided at the cafe’s front desk match up. We’re confident you’re the one we’re looking for. We require your cooperation for an ongoing investigation.”
Despite his initial shock, William had no choice but to follow the agents, his gaming plans for the day thrown into disarray.
Friends are the same shit ?